M23 rebels to return to peace talks with Congo government after dodging previous meeting

KAMPALA, Uganda – A leader for eastern Congo's rebels says they will attend a meeting in the Ugandan capital later Tuesday with the Congolese government delegation after failing to show up Monday.

Rene Abandi of the M23 rebels told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the group avoided the Monday meeting because it was "a press event, not a meeting." The rebels' failure to attend the meeting threatened to throw the peace talks into disarray, with Raymond Tshibanda, the Congolese foreign minister, saying the talks will not be credible if the rebels disrespect mediators.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Tshibanda is expected late Tuesday to deliver a rebuttal to strong criticism by M23 Executive Secretary Francois Rucogoza, who charged on Sunday that the Congo government lacks "visionary leadership" and had not integrated former rebels into the army.